Slingsby's Sound Advice Can Prevent Industrial Deafness

DESPITE legislation being introduced to guard against it,
thousands of employees still develop hearing problems every year as a
result of being exposed to excessive noise in the workplace, even
though it is one of the easiest and cheapest conditions to prevent
according to workplace equipment provider Slingsby.

Under The Control of Noise at Work Regulations, employers have a legal
responsibility to protect workers from high noise levels in order to prevent hearing
loss or tinnitus which causes a constant ringing, buzzing or whistling sound in the
ear.

Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby explains: "Hearing problems, tinnitus or
industrial deafness, as it's often known, are still common medical conditions that
are caused by excessive noise. The severity of the condition depends entirely on
the level of noise and the length of time exposed to it but in severe cases it can
lead to complete hearing loss and once the damage is done the effects are
irreversible.

"Employers are required by law to protect their employees when noise reaches
certain levels or else they can face prosecution and compensation claims. For this
reason it's important that employers monitor noise levels in areas where it can
become uncomfortable. However the good news is that if it is excessive, it's
usually cheap and easy to guard employees against it."

To help prevent hearing problems, Slingsby has compiled a check-list that employers
must follow when noise levels reach certain levels.

When daily noise levels reach an average of 80 dBA (decibels) employers must:

- Explain the risks to employees and tell them how to protect their ears.
- Provide ear protectors - otherwise known as 'ear defenders' – and keep them in
good working order.
- Reduce noise levels wherever possible by modifying, muffling or replacing
equipment and maintaining it regularly.
- When daily noise levels reach an average of 85 dBA (decibels) ear protectors must
be worn by law and signs must be displayed warning people they are in an 'ear
protection zone'.
- Average exposure levels, after taking into account any hearing protection, should
never exceed 87 dBA.

Finally Lee adds: “It's important to remember that the regulations also require
employers to ensure noise is minimised before resorting to ear protection, such as
installing sound reduction equipment and taking noise levels into account when
ordering new equipment or machinery.

"When it is suspected that noise in the workplace could be a problem, a specialist
risk assessment should be carried out to estimate employees' exposure and work out
what can be done to comply with the law."

ENDS

Media contact:- Steve Wright on 0113 2576633.

Note to editor:-
Slingsby was established in Bradford during 1893 by Harry Crowther Slingsby who
designed and created a range of robust trucks and trolleys to move heavy loads
horizontally around large buildings. Several members of the Slingsby family remain
on the board of directors and whilst the company is still famous for its manual
handling equipment, it now supplies more than 35,000 workplace products to a full
range of industries via its catalogues and website, just in time for the onset of
the winter weather Slingsby have many salt spreaders, and other ice melt supplies as well as rock salt storage solutions such as a grit bin. For further information visit www.slingsby.com